Which month is best to plant lettuce?

Lettuce is now a widely consumed leafy vegetable, rich in vitamins A, C, K, as well as minerals such as folic acid, iron, and calcium. There are many varieties, including loose-leaf lettuce, head lettuce (such as romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, etc.), endive, etc. Let’s learn together which month is best to plant lettuce?

1. Which month is best to sow lettuce?

Lettuce prefers cool climate conditions, so sowing is usually done in spring and autumn. Spring sowing generally takes place from February to April, and harvesting takes place from May to June. The recommended time for autumn sowing is the end of August, and the harvest period is from September to October. Because different varieties of lettuce have different characteristics, you should read the instructions on the seed package before sowing and sow according to the above time.

Tips: Spring and summer are suitable for sowing heat-resistant loose-leaf lettuces (such as butter lettuce and colorful lettuce), while autumn and winter are suitable for sowing heat-intolerant head lettuce (also known as western lettuce).

2. Lettuce sowing techniques

1. Planting seeds

Seedling raising method is usually adopted. Because lettuce seeds are small and light, they need to be mixed evenly with fine sand before being sown. Cover the soil with a thickness of 0.5 to 1 cm and at a temperature of 15 to 20 degrees, it will germinate in about 3 to 5 days. If the temperature exceeds 25 degrees, it will be difficult to germinate. Germination treatment is required for summer sowing. That is, after soaking the seeds for one night, wrap them with wet gauze and place them in the refrigerator (about 5 degrees). Wait until most of the seeds have white buds before sowing.

2. Seedling management

Keep the soil moist and avoid drying out, while ensuring that the soil has good water permeability. Thin out the seedlings when they have 2 to 3 true leaves, keeping the plant spacing between 5 to 8 cm.

3. Transplanting

Transplant the lettuce when it has 5 to 6 true leaves. Water thoroughly before transplanting, and move the plant into a large pot along with the soil around the roots. The spacing between loose-leaf lettuce is 15 cm, and that between head lettuce is 30 cm. After watering thoroughly, the plants should be placed in a cool place in summer to slow down the growth. After about a week, when the root system is stable, the sunlight exposure can be gradually increased.

4. Fertilization

Apply nitrogen-based fertilizer (preferably well-rotted organic fertilizer ) once in the first week after transplanting. Apply organic fertilizer or full nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer once in the second and fourth weeks after transplanting. Stop fertilizing two weeks before harvest.

5. Watering

During high temperature periods, watering should be done in the morning and evening, preferably in small amounts and multiple times, to avoid water accumulation. Water should be controlled in the early growth stage to keep the soil moderately moist.

The above is an introduction to the sowing time and techniques for lettuce. If you want to try growing lettuce yourself, you can choose a suitable variety.